THERE IS DEATH IN THE POT - The University of Texas at Arlington

essay omitting the final paragraphs of the essay, which explicitly outlined women’s
organizational activity against slavery. Hale and Chandler shared similar views on
women’s education and republican motherhood. Hale championed women’s education
so that women might better fulfill their traditional feminine role; Chandler advocated
women’s education as a necessary corrective to slavery. Hale, however, denounced
women’s abolitionist activity as too political. “Let us beware of exerting our power
politically,” Hale noted in her introduction to Chandler’s essay. “The influence of
woman, to be beneficial,” according to Hale, “must depend mainly on the respect inspired
by her moral excellence, not on the political address or energy she may display.” Hale
claimed a moral position divorced from the male domain of politics. 84
In response to Hale’s criticism, Chandler published “Opinions” in the Genius of
Universal Emancipation the following month. Chandler affirmed women’s domestic role
but urged women to use that role to aid the cause of the oppressed slave. Free produce,
Chandler argued, was an effective abolitionist strategy and relied upon women’s
traditional domestic responsibilities. Chandler admitted that emancipation was a political
question but she argued that abolition of slavery rested upon “the broader basis of
humanity and justice.” She noted, that “it is on this ground only, that we advocated the
84 [Sarah J. Hale], “Introduction to ‘An Appeal to the Ladies of the United States,’” Ladies
Magazine, November 11, 1829; [Sarah J. Hale], “Review of Letters on Female Character,” Ladies
Magazine, June 1829; [Elizabeth Margaret Chandler], “Female Education,” Genius of Universal
Emancipation, September 2, 1829; [Elizabeth Margaret Chandler], “Indifference,” Genius of Universal
Emancipation, October 30, 1829. According to Hale, “The domestic station is woman’s appropriate
sphere, and it will be honorable if she but adorn it with the graces, dignify it by intelligence, and hallow it
by sentiment, tenderness, and piety. An ignorant woman cannot do this.” See also Lundy, Poetical Works,
21. Lundy claimed in that shortly after the publication of “Appeal,” Chandler “found herself engaged in a
great controversy with a lady of great celebrity, an author, residing in New England.” Though neither
Lundy or Chandler identified Hale as Chandler’s critic, the timing of Hale’s reprint and its introduction
suggest that the “lady of great celebrity” was most likely Hale.
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